A Pilgrimage to Shanxi - A Buddhist Sanctuary Province in China

Buddhist was introduced into Shanxi in Eastern Han Dynasty(25-225AD) and reached its peak in Tang Dynasty (618-907AD). Due to its advantageous geographic location and profound historical and cultural traditions, Shanxi made a significant contribution to the spread and development of Buddhism in China.

Hanging Monastery stands out mainly for its location and odd-looking structure. The 1400-year-old Hanging Monastery surprisingly hangs on a near-vertical mountain cliff, over 50 meters above the ground, supported by crossbeams half insert into a horizontal hole as the foundation, resembling a tumbledown castle in the air. It is the only existing temple mixing Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
(More about Hanging Monastery.)

Yungang Grottoes, one of the three most famous Buddhist grotto complexes in China, are dozens of caves and thousands of sculptures carved out of the north cliff of Wuzhou Mountain, about 16 km southwest of downtown Datong. Built in 405 AD of Northern Wei Dynasty, Yungang Grottoes reflect the highest level of grotto art of ancient China.
(More about Yungang Grottoes.)

Other Highlights in Shanxi

Mountain Wutai - it is one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains and home to many of the country's earliest and most important Buddhist monasteries, also endowed with stunning natural sceneries.
(More about Mountain Wutai.)

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, or The Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple - it is the oldest and highest all-wood Buddhist pagoda in the world, and a gem of Chinese architecture without using any nails.
(More about Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.)